Public school8.1K

PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre

Santa Maria, CA

HSITest-FreeLGBTQ+

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Browse programs

Quick Links

Cert. Actor Training

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Quick Links

Cert. Actor Training

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

Quick Links

Cert. Technical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective12-24 Students

Program Recognition

•Fully accredited career and technical education (CTE) program through Allan Hancock College

Training

•Immersive two-year training: Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement, Singing, Dance

•Second year focuses on audition techniques and business of acting

•Culminates in two fully staged productions cast solely from graduating class

Notable Alumni

•Robin Williams — Academy Award winner (Good Will Hunting), Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society

•Kathy Bates — Academy Award winner (Misery), American Horror Story

•Jessica Chastain — Academy Award winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Zero Dark Thirty

•Mercedes Ruehl — Academy Award winner (The Fisher King)

•Kelly McGillis — Top Gun, Witness

•Boyd Gaines — four-time Tony Award winner

•Patrick Page — Hadestown (Broadway)

•Zac Efron — Hairspray, The Greatest Showman

Professional Development

•Students train as members of a professional Equity company

•Mentored by professional artists — approximately 1 professional mentor per 4 students

•Industry professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) observe student work

•Approximately 87% of actors paid to act within a year of graduation

•Credits transferable — graduates can enter partner colleges as juniors

School Info

Snapshot

26%

Grad Rate

8.1K

Enrollment

$43K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$1,156

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$9,892

Before aid

Average Net Price

$5,383

After aid

College Scorecard

Program info updated 3d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Fully accredited career and technical education (CTE) program through Allan Hancock College

Training

•Immersive two-year training: Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement, Singing, Dance

•Second year focuses on audition techniques and business of acting

•Culminates in two fully staged productions cast solely from graduating class

Notable Alumni

•Robin Williams — Academy Award winner (Good Will Hunting), Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society

•Kathy Bates — Academy Award winner (Misery), American Horror Story

•Jessica Chastain — Academy Award winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Zero Dark Thirty

•Mercedes Ruehl — Academy Award winner (The Fisher King)

•Kelly McGillis — Top Gun, Witness

•Boyd Gaines — four-time Tony Award winner

•Patrick Page — Hadestown (Broadway)

•Zac Efron — Hairspray, The Greatest Showman

Professional Development

•Students train as members of a professional Equity company

•Mentored by professional artists — approximately 1 professional mentor per 4 students

•Industry professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) observe student work

•Approximately 87% of actors paid to act within a year of graduation

•Credits transferable — graduates can enter partner colleges as juniors

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Fully accredited career and technical education (CTE) program through Allan Hancock College

Training

•Immersive two-year training: Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement, Singing, Dance

•Second year focuses on audition techniques and business of acting

•Culminates in two fully staged productions cast solely from graduating class

Notable Alumni

•Robin Williams — Academy Award winner (Good Will Hunting), Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society

•Kathy Bates — Academy Award winner (Misery), American Horror Story

•Jessica Chastain — Academy Award winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Zero Dark Thirty

•Mercedes Ruehl — Academy Award winner (The Fisher King)

•Kelly McGillis — Top Gun, Witness

•Boyd Gaines — four-time Tony Award winner

•Patrick Page — Hadestown (Broadway)

•Zac Efron — Hairspray, The Greatest Showman

Professional Development

•Students train as members of a professional Equity company

•Mentored by professional artists — approximately 1 professional mentor per 4 students

•Industry professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) observe student work

•Approximately 87% of actors paid to act within a year of graduation

•Credits transferable — graduates can enter partner colleges as juniors

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

These Fall 2026 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Video AuditionFeb 1, 2026

Sources

Source 1

Prescreen Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Songs

Requirements

•16-32 Bars of a Song

•Sing with either recorded or live accompaniment

•No a cappella

Monologues

Requirements

•Two MONOLOGUES, 3 min total (approx 60-90 sec each)

•ONE CLASSICAL MONOLOGUE — preferably Shakespeare

•One contemporary monologue — post-1900

Dance

Requirements

•Optional 60-SECOND Dance Combination

•Not a required part of the video audition

•Dancers may include a dance piece to supplement their audition

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

•PDF format preferred

Resume (Required)

•PDF detailing performance experience, education/training, and special skills

Official Source

Callback Requirements

Additional Materials

Letters of Recommendation

•Required at callback stage

•Two letters from teachers, employers, or directors

•Not from family members

School Transcripts

•Required at callback stage

•Most recent transcripts

•Do not need to be official

Mission Statement

•Required at callback stage

•Two-page minimum, typed, double-spaced

•Discuss educational, professional, and personal goals

•Explain why PCPA can benefit you

Official Source

Good to Know

Eligibility

•Must have high school diploma or be at least 18 years of age

•Fall enrollment only

•Full-time commitment required — 9am to 10:30pm, five to six days per week

•Applications received after March 15 considered for alternate list placement

Admission Pathway

•Vocational certificate — does not offer associate's or bachelor's degree

•Approximately 60-70 transferable theatre credits earned over two years

•All students registered as full-time Allan Hancock College students

•Access to Allan Hancock College resources (health, IT, food services)

Important Notes

•PCPA does not provide housing

•Housing coordinator available to help locate housing and roommates

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Submit video audition via Acceptd

•Acceptd opens October 4

•Recommended submission by December 31; deadline is February 1

•Videos accepted after February 1

•Total video (monologues + song) must not exceed 4 minutes

•Callback invitations sent by February 5

•Callbacks held in March

•Option of virtual callback or in-person in Santa Maria, CA

•Must provide letters of recommendation, transcripts, and mission statement

•Offers made in April

Contact

•Email: casting@pcpa.org

•Phone: (805) 922-6966 ext. 4121

School Info

Snapshot

26%

Grad Rate

8.1K

Enrollment

$43K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$1,156

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$9,892

Before aid

Average Net Price

$5,383

After aid

College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Fully accredited career and technical education (CTE) program through Allan Hancock College

Training

•Immersive two-year training: Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement, Singing, Dance

•Second year focuses on audition techniques and business of acting

•Culminates in two fully staged productions cast solely from graduating class

Notable Alumni

•Robin Williams — Academy Award winner (Good Will Hunting), Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society

•Kathy Bates — Academy Award winner (Misery), American Horror Story

•Jessica Chastain — Academy Award winner (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Zero Dark Thirty

•Mercedes Ruehl — Academy Award winner (The Fisher King)

•Kelly McGillis — Top Gun, Witness

•Boyd Gaines — four-time Tony Award winner

•Patrick Page — Hadestown (Broadway)

•Zac Efron — Hairspray, The Greatest Showman

Professional Development

•Students train as members of a professional Equity company

•Mentored by professional artists — approximately 1 professional mentor per 4 students

•Industry professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) observe student work

•Approximately 87% of actors paid to act within a year of graduation

•Credits transferable — graduates can enter partner colleges as juniors

Updated 3d ago

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